VRE

I've been flying helis for a couple years now and planes even longer. I've been looking at these electric helis and plan on getting a logo 10 or 20 later. But right now I want a micro heli that can be flown in my living room. What do you guys recommend?

I've been looking at the Huming Bird and the Piccolo CP. What do you guys think?

Thank You very much for any help you may provide.

Dodgey99

Dead simple. HummingBird (HB) will take lots of crashes well(ish). CP Pic will cost a lot more to repair.

If you are leaning, get the HB. You only invest 80 odd bucks in the heli. The rest is in re-usable electrics.

edit- Now i have re-read your post (you already fly helis) - I'd get the Pic CP.

VRE

But they are both good?

I'm leaning a little towards the Huming Bird right now. I just want something to mess around with and don't want to worry about crashing it. From what you said it sounds like the Huming Bird is a pretty stable heli.

flmgrip

My Feedback: (2)

one is a collective pitch heli, and one is a fixed pitch... if you fly already helis i would absolutely go for the pico pro, not the hummer...
either one is cheaper to repair than a bigger heli

Dodgey99

True Flmgrip, the CP Pic will be better to tinker with and will fly better, but the FP Hummingbird will take knocks a lot better and will be cheaper to maintain (no Collective mechanics or expensive blades to replace).

If it's just fun you are looking for I'd be inclined to grab the HB first. After all, if , after a while you decide that you want a CP Pic then you have only "wasted" 80 odd dollars on the HB, the rest of your investment will transfer to the Pic.

I love my HB and it is a hoot to fly indoors. I am considering getting a CP Pic, but am holding off as I know I'll smash the hell out of it. One of the best bits about the HB is that you really enjoy flying it because you don't mind crashes. You nearly always "walk away" from them.

Have fun!

p.s. I've herad that the HB is a little more stable tan the Fun or basic Pic. The CP Pic would be more stable though. My HB is sweet and flies well.

Dodgey99

Here are two links to videos of my stock HB flying in my living room. Bear in mind my tail rotor is made completely from card board and one of my main rotors is held together with selotape!

This will give you an idea of what to expect.

I had been flying for 1 and 1/2 weeks when I took these.

I would download these (5M each) rather than try to stream them.

http://donoghuer.users.btopenworld.com/HB2.avi

http://donoghuer.users.btopenworld.com/HB1.avi

Bear in mind HB1 was filmed after HB2. In HB2 I crash at the end. Note that I'm not bothered. Note also back in the air straight away in HB1

VRE

Sounds good. I'm downloading the videos now. (I'm on Dial-Up)

I think I will go with the hummer. I'm just looking for something to mess with on rainy days.

Thanks guys.

Zjuggler

I went the route of Hummingbird -> FP Piccolo. The Hummingbird was definitely a good learning copter. I'll second everything that was said about it being crash-resistant - it really takes a beating and keeps on flying. It's also a lot easier to get set up and into the air (particularly for a beginner). Another plus is that some of the aftermarket parts (like an aluminum swashplate or shaft retention collar) will go right onto a Pic if you go that route later.

(I'd _highly_ recommend the aluminum shaft retention collar for the hummer).

--Chris

Dodgey99

Good point zjuggler. I had mine i a steadyish hover in an hour or so from receipt. Took me a week to re-read all the instructions and then realise what gyro gain was. Turned mine up to about 70% - what a difference!!!!

I'm going to order the collar now. Do you get longer flight times or more precise control? Is it more "twitchy" with it on?

Zjuggler

I didn't really notice a big difference in time, but definitely a big difference in controllability. The swashplate moves around SO much easier without that plastic tube in there, so the cyclic action is much smoother. I actually had to turn down the ATV a little at first until I got used to it.

VRE

Just curious as this is my first electric helicopter..

I'd imagine there is no need for pitch curves but would I need to set a throttle curve? Or is it pretty much ready to go out of the box?

Dodgey99

You got it. There will be no pitch curve as the pitch is fixed. It's all in the throttle. No need really for a throttle curve either, nor Revo mixing.

I DO use a throttle curve myself. I set it something like 0-35-50-65-100 . That way, I have less sensitive (more control) around the over point. I also limit the servo travel (ATV?) on the aileron and elevator to 75% to make it less twitchy. Good for learning on.

You need not bother with revo (tail) mixing as the HB mixer board does that for you. Uless you go separate.

Dead easy really.

P.S Vre - as you are bandwidth limited just download one of the movies - they are quite similar. HB1 is the better one - I land it

VRE

Videos look great. That is exactly what I want. www.helihobby.com sells a HB package deal. Is this a good buy (in terms of quality)? For $285 you get..

- Base Hummingbird Kit
- Two HS-55 Hitec Micro Servos
- HB Speed Controller
- GWS PG-03 Gyro
- GWS 4 Channel Receiver
- Battery Pack 8.4V and connector
- Aluminum Shaft collar Mod
- Instructions and decals

Dodgey99

Glad you liked. Can't comment on the price as I bought mine in the UK. A couple of things I would say...

I Got the Century Micro Gyro with mine and it works well. The PG-03 is good as well, but I like the way the Century one "Auto Centers" when you power it up.

I have the same other bits. All work fine.

If you want to avoid tears before bedtime I would recommend ordering a spare set of main and tail blades and possibly main and tail rotor (small cost). Nothing hurts like waiting for spares (I am, and it is calm as a pond outside). It may be easier for you to get parts in the US.

Also , don't forget, nearly everything can be mended with CA and tape

Go for it mate, you'll love it.

See you back here in a few weeks when you start enquiring about Li-polly batteries

p.s. If I convert dollard to UK pounds, that's a nice deal! - HelliHobby seem good. It's good they know what they are talking about (collar mod).

Get on the web and order !!

If you need help, pm me or leave a message here. You'll loveit !

VRE

Thanks for all your help! I'm sure you'll hear from me again soon.

jeffs555

Except for the battery, that package is fine. You would be better off getting the two cell Etec 1200mah Lithium Poly packs. They are about half the weight of the standard 8.4v NIMH pack, and will fly twice as long between charges. Most of the pieces in the package are listed separately on the same page. If you add up the prices of the separate pieces without the battery and charger, it comes to about $260. So you are paying about $25 for the NIMH battery. Better off to pay some more and get the Li-Poly. You should also get the Micro Z-72 antenna. The HB is so small it is hard to hang a wire antenna on it. HeliHobby is not the cheapest, but they are very good and reliable, and that is worth a lot.

Jeff

VRE

Yeah, I'm sure I could find some of the things cheaper else where, but I know they are a reliable and I prefer to order as much as I can from the same place because I'd rather wait for 1 or 2 packages instead of 3-4+

I think I will buy everything seperate tho. Where can I find these 'Li-poly' batteries? What kind of charger do I need for them?

jeffs555

Helihobby has the Li-poly batteries and charger listed on the same page as the Hummingbird, about half way down. Look for the E-Tec 2C 1200mah battery and the Wes Tech charger.

Jeff

Dodgey99

Agreed. I have my e-tec's on the way to me :-)

I bought a Great Planes Triton charger because I have an Eco 8 and a monster truck so charging batteries is a priority for me.